Poetry Church
The language of poetry guides us toward the ineffable mystery of God, and toward a fuller sense of our own wholeness. Poetry Church is a six week small group experience that invites everyone- those who’ve never read a poem, those who can recite poems for memory, and everybody in between- to explore poetry as a form of Divine and self exploration.
Created by Poetic Medicine facilitator, Mary Ellen Lough.
Each week offers you an opportunity to ponder a different theme through the lens of poetry, with plenty of time for reflection, journaling, and conversation. The facilitator’s guide includes rituals for opening and closing, meditations, writing prompts, as well as a ritual for everyone to carry throughout the week. And with groups of six people or more, the entire course per participant will cost less than the price of a book!
Week One: What is a poem?
Week Two: Original Language
Week Three: Deep Listening
Week Four: To Begin
Week Five: Poetry as Prayer and Blessing
Week Six: Liturgies of Aliveness
This resource includes a facilitator’s guide, a weekly essay including an audio file of Mary Ellen reading the essay, and a collection of poetry readings.
About Mary Ellen Lough
Mary Ellen Lough is a Pushcart Prize nominated poet, homesteader, and writer from Appalachia. She has worked under grants facilitating poetry sessions for veterans, mental health professionals, women and mothers, persons experiencing homelessness or addiction, public school teachers, and religious leaders, and offers Farmhouse Poetry Circles at her homestead and online for anyone looking to cultivate depth and meaningful dialogue in their lives.
Experience the Sacred Through Poetry
Come listen for the echo of the holy through the art of poetry. Discover how poetry can be a way to bless and re-envision our lives and world, write new endings and new beginnings, and offer up wounds and memories that still need to be held in gentle awareness and healing.
